UL Urban Crime Lab Data Scientists
About the Department
Who We Are: In cities across the country, people face high rates of gun violence, under-resourced schools, and social harms associated with the criminal justice system -- all of which disproportionately impact people of color. These inequalities have profound consequences on public safety and opportunity. As a society we have failed to address these challenges, in part, because of our lack of understanding of the most effective and cost-effective solutions that can have a real impact on people's lives. We believe that rigorous research can help. The University of Chicago Crime Lab and Education Lab partner with cities and communities to use data and rigorous research to design, test, and scale programs and policies that enhance public safety, improve educational outcomes, and advance justice. Our mission is to combine world-class data science and research, in partnership with government agencies, to substantially improve the effectiveness of the public sector and achieve impact at scale. To learn more about the Crime Lab and Education Lab, visit https://urbanlabs.uchicago.edu/labs/crime. The Role: The UChicago Crime Lab and Education Lab are seeking an experienced Data Science Manger with strong technical skills to work on large-scale social policy experiments designed to test the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of violence prevention and educational interventions. The Data Science Manager will work on a small portfolio of projects across the areas of both criminal justice and education, devilment and manage processes and procedures to enhance the data science team and support broader organizational development activities. This position offers the opportunity to work directly with leading social policy researchers, at the University of Chicago and NYC-area universities, local city agency staff, as well as a team of administrative staff, analytical staff, research managers, and student research assistants.
Job Summary
The job uses best practices and knowledge of data manipulation, statistical applications, programming, analysis and modeling in order to implement projects related to the University's various internal data systems as well as from external sources. The job is responsible for managing operational protocols.
Responsibilities
- Manage a small team of data scientists, providing consultation as necessary on advanced techniques.
- Lead data analysis and data management on a small portfolio of research projects.
- Work with partners and members of the research team to propose and implement analytical approaches to solving specific research questions.
- Prepares project memos, summaries, presentations, reports, and other work products for dissemination targeting both policymakers, academic researchers, and other stakeholders, as needed.
- Presents work products to external partners as appropriate.
- Mentors other research staff by providing guidance and feedback on deliverables and quality assurance on code.
- Serves as an in-house expert for one or more tools or techniques used across multiple projects in the labs.
- Partners with the Talent Manager to help recruit, screen, and hire new talent, and creates data exercise and other recruitment and onboarding tools.
- Work with the management team on issues of organizational development and leadership, potentially including identifying areas for staff development and professional development.
- Has a deep understanding of methods to analyze complex data sets for the purpose of extracting and purposefully using applicable information. May develop and maintain infrastructure that connects data sets.
- Guides staff or faculty members in defining the project and applies principals of data science in manipulation, statistical applications, programming, analysis and modeling.
- Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
---
Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
---
Certifications:
---
Preferred Qualifications
Experience:
- Experience in developing code for prediction projects.
Preferred Competencies
- Advanced knowledge of machine learning.
- Advanced skills with statistical data analysis using Python or R.
- Demonstrated ability in the development and maintenance of modular and reproduceable project code.
- Knowledge of econometric techniques for causal inference.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Strong initiative and a resourceful approach to problem solving and learning.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
- Sound critical thinking skills.
- Strong attention to detail with superb analytical and organization skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present data in a simple and straightforward way for non-technical audiences.
Application Documents
- Resume (required)
- Cover Letter (required)
- A sample of data work, such as a final report for a class project, link to a GitHub repo, or blog post (required)
- Three professional references (required)
When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Research
Role Impact
Individual Contributor
FLSA Status
Exempt
Pay Frequency
Monthly
Scheduled Weekly Hours
37.5
Benefits Eligible
Yes
Requires Compliance with University Covid-19 Vaccination Requirement
Yes
Drug Test Required
No
Health Screen Required
No
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No
Posting Statement
Employees must comply with the University's COVID-19 vaccination requirements. More information about the requirements can be found on the University of Chicago Vaccination GoForward.
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.
We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.